Blondy Ryan

The lanky Ryan gained immortality with a telegram he sent as a brash rookie to dour Bill Terry, manager of the Giants. Notified to report to the team to play shortstop in place of Travis Jackson, whose broken knee from 1932 would not hold up the next season, Ryan wired: “We can’t lose now. Am en route!” He was right. The Giants went on to the pennant and won the World Series with Blondy Ryan hollering loudly on every play. His energy and enthusiasm failed to be matched by his bat and he lapsed into a utility role.